Outdoor fire call-outs have significantly increased in the Kent area since last year.

This month, fire crews have attended 89 outdoor fires believed to have started deliberately, compared to 49 for the same time last year.

Accidental fires have also increased to 58 call-outs, as opposed to 17 last year.

The Head of Community Safety, Stuart Skilton, appealed to people to take extra care not to start fires, especially with outdoor activities such as camping and barbecuing.

Some of these increases may be because this summer has beendrier so far than last year, meaning that fires are likely to take hold more easily. However, there is a major concern about how many of these outdoor fires are being started deliberately or through carelessness. Fires of this type can spread easily and this puts enormous demands on our resources as well as posing a serious threat to lives and homes.”